New Delhi: Veteran film actor and director Manoj Kumar, often referred to as 'Bharat' Kumar for essaying patriotic roles in film after film, is to be conferred the nation’s highest honour award in cimema, the Dadasaheb Phalke award, for the year 2015. The award is conferred by the Government of India for outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian Cinema.
The Dadasaheb Phalke award consists of a Swarn Kamal (golden lotus), a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakhs and a shawl. The Award is given on the basis of recommendations of a committee of eminent personalities set up by the government for this purpose. This year, a five member jury comprising of singing queens Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle, film script writer Salim Khan, and singers Nitin Mukesh and Anup Jalota unanimously recommended Kumar for the prestigious 47th award. Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley spoke with Manoj Kumar today and congratulated him on being conferred the Award.
Remembered for his films Hariyali Aur Raasta, Woh Kaun Thi, Himalaya Ki God Mein, Do Badan, Upkaar, Patthar Ke Sanam, Neel Kamal, Purab Aur Paschim, Roti Kapda Aur Makaan, Gumrah andKranti among others, the 78-year old is known for acting in and directing films with patriotic themes.
Kumar (born Harikrishna Giri Goswami on 24 July 1937) in Abbottabad, then part of pre-Independent India, moved to Delhi when he was ten. After graduating from Hindu College in Delhi, he decided to enter the film industry. He debuted in the film Fashion in 1957 and got his first leading role in Kaanch Ki Gudia in 1960.
In the 1960s his successful films included a number of romantic films and social films. Kumar's image as the patriotic hero started with the 1965 film Shaheed based on the life of Bhagat Singh. After the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri asked him to create a film based on the popular slogan Jai Jawan Jai Kissan. The result was Kumar's magnum opus and his directorial debut, Upkaar. In the mid-1970s Kumar starred in three hit films: Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974), which was a social commentary featuring an all-star cast including Zeenat Aman, Shashi Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan; Dus Numbri with Hema Malini who was also his co-star in Kranti which also featured the thespian Dilip Kumar.
Manoj Kumar also has 7 Filmfare Awards in his name for his extraordinary film direction and story writing.
His film Upkaar is also remembered for the very popular song Mere Desh Ki Dharti written by Gulshan Bawra and composed by Kalyanji-Anandji. Another song rendered by Manna Dey, Kasme Waade Pyaar Wafaa Sab screened on Pran was was also a big hit .
